AnswersPhysics IOrbital Motion — QuizQuestion 8
8
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Orbital Motion — Quiz

Question 8 • Physics I

Using the information given what does Hannah need in order to calculate the tangential speed of the orbiting object ? Hannah has information about an object in circular orbit around Earth. m sub cap e ar t h is equal to 6 point 0 times 10 to the 24th power kilograms cap g is equal to 6 point 6 7 times 10 to the negative 11 power the fraction with numerator m cubed and denominator kg times s squared r sub e ar t h is equal to 6 point 0 times 10 to the 6th power m

Answer
A
the radius of Earth
B
the orbital period of Earth
C
the distance of the orbiting object to Earth
D
the mass of the orbiting object

Explanation

For a circular orbit, tangential speed is calculated with v = √(GM/r), where M is Earth’s mass and r is the distance from Earth’s center to the orbiting object. Hannah already knows G and Earth’s mass, so she needs the object’s orbital distance. Earth’s radius alone does not give that distance unless the object is known to be at Earth’s surface.

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